Homeschooling and Socialization

I want to laugh in ironic hysteria every time someone asks me, "If your kids don't go to school how do they socialize?" Homeschoolers tend to have a much different view of socialization than rest of the population.

I decided to look up the word "socialization" in the dictionary for this one. (I used the Mirriam-Webster and Garfield Dictionary that was on my desk for this). This is scary: so-cial-ize /'so-she-liz/vb -ized; -iz-ing 1: To regulate according to the theory and practice of socialism 2: to adapt to social needs or uses 3: to participate actively in a social gathering - so-cial-i-za-tion n

Ok. What is wrong with this picture? Lets look at this a moment. To participate actively in a social gathering. Well, if that was school then children would not be getting in trouble for talking in class and passing notes. To adapt to social needs or uses. Just for fun, lets look at the dictionary entry for social.

so-cial /so-shel/ adj 1: marked by pleasant companionship with ones friends 2. naturally living and breeding in organized communities (~ insects) 3: of or relating to human society (~ institutions) 4. of, relating to, or based on rank in a particular society (~ circles); also: of or relating to fashionable society

Hmmm.... sounds like conformity if you ask me. You must be accepted in a social circle where everyone likes each other, with a pecking order (what happens if you are at the bottom of the social ladder?) and doing what is accepted by the group (that could be anything from reading Shakespeare or playing chess to taking drugs and having sex)

Then there is that last definition, and since it is listed first it is the most accepted definition: to regulate according to the theory and practice of socialism. UGH!

so-cial-ism /'so-she-li-zem/ n: any of various social systems based on shared or government ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

Makes you wonder doesn't it? Socialization in school? Give me a break. This is also where all the political correctness comes in where someone isn't offended. No prayer in school (a lot of schools will not even let children wear a symbol of faith ~ regardless of what it is ~ to school because kids have been harassed for being Jewish, pagan, or anything else other than Christian), no trench coats, must wear school uniforms, etc. All this is in an attempt to make everyone fit the same mold to prevent discontent. This leaves little room for personal creativity and individuality.

Socialization in school is a joke. This idea of socialization does not prepare a child for the "real world". School is the only time in a persons life where they are segregate by age and sometimes by sex (can't have boys and girls taking PE together), those with disabilities are sent to special schools or classes, etc. Everyone must conform to the same standard. I could go on forever about what I feel is wrong with the social order of school and how it is counter productive. The bottom line is school teaches conformity. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Depends on how you look at it. Those with different ideas are the ones that in history have become great leaders or inventors or scientists. Just something to think about.